Beautiful Creatures Cast Guide: Actors, Characters & Where They Are Now

You know that feeling when you stumble across a movie years later and suddenly appreciate the actors way more? That totally happened to me with *Beautiful Creatures*. Honestly, the first time I watched it, I was mostly into the Southern gothic vibes and the magic stuff. But rewatching it recently? Man, the **Beautiful Creatures cast** really impressed me this time around. It’s like spotting a familiar face in an old photo and realizing how talented they actually were, even back then. If you're digging around looking for info on this crew, you've landed in the right spot. Let's just dive right in.

Who's Who in Gatlin: The Core Beautiful Creatures Cast

Okay, so Gatlin, South Carolina is basically the main stage. It’s where all the magic (literally) and teenage angst collide. The heart of the story revolves around Lena Duchannes, a Caster (that’s their word for witch or warlock, feels a bit fancier, right?), and Ethan Wate, the mortal boy swept up in her world. Getting these two right was crucial, and honestly, the casting team nailed it.

Lena Duchannes: The Conflicted Caster

Playing Lena was a big ask. She’s powerful, scared, cursed, falling in love, and trying not to get claimed by the Dark on her sixteenth birthday – talk about a loaded plate! Stepping into those boots was **Alice Englert**. I remember thinking Alice Englert brought this really interesting mix of vulnerability and defiance to Lena. She wasn't just brooding; you felt the weight of her family legacy and her fear of the Claiming. It’s funny, before this, I hadn’t seen her in much. Turns out she comes from film royalty – her mom is director Jane Campion! She definitely inherited that artistic spark. Englert made Lena feel real, not just like a fantasy trope. You believed she could shatter windows with her mood and also desperately want a normal life. She carried the emotional core of the **Beautiful Creatures cast**.

Ethan Wate: The Mortal Anchor

Opposite Lena was Ethan, our window into Gatlin and the Caster world. Playing the small-town boy dreaming of escape was **Alden Ehrenreich**. Now, seeing Ehrenreich here is kind of wild *now*, knowing he went on to play a young Han Solo! But back then? He was perfect as Ethan. Ehrenreich had this earnest charm that worked. Ethan needed to be relatable, a bit bookish, and brave enough to stand by Lena against the whole town's gossip. He wasn't just the lovesick puppy; Ehrenreich gave him backbone. His chemistry with Englert felt natural, which was half the battle won for the film's central relationship within the **Beautiful Creatures ensemble**. You rooted for them, even amidst all the supernatural chaos.

The Duchannes Elders: Power and Intrigue

Lena’s family? They are a *lot*. Packed with power, secrets, and strong opinions about Lena’s fate. * **Macon Ravenwood (Jeremy Irons):** Lena’s reclusive uncle. Jeremy Irons! Talk about heavyweight casting. He brought this effortless gravitas and dry wit to Macon. You instantly believed he was centuries old, powerful, and deeply protective of Lena. That voice alone commands attention. Irons elevated every scene he was in, pure and simple. Absolute standout in the **Beautiful Creatures cast**. * **Sarafine Duchannes (Emma Thompson):** Lena’s mother. And wow, did Emma Thompson go for it! Playing a powerful Dark Caster possessing the body of the town’s uber-conservative busybody, Mrs. Lincoln? Genius duality. Thompson chewed the scenery in the best possible way. She was terrifying, seductive, and utterly unhinged. Seeing her switch between sweet, Bible-thumping Mrs. Lincoln and the venomous Sarafine was a masterclass. Some critics thought it was maybe a bit *too* theatrical? I dunno, I loved the commitment. She embraced the camp while still being genuinely menacing. Made the threat feel real. * **Ridley Duchannes (Emmy Rossum):** Lena’s cousin, a Siren claimed by the Dark. Emmy Rossum absolutely stole scenes. Ridley is all about temptation, chaos, and bubblegum-pop darkness. Rossum played her with this wicked glee, dripping with sarcasm and sultry danger. The pink streaks, the candy, the way she messed with everyone – iconic vibe. She brought a much-needed dose of dark fun to the **Beautiful Creatures cast**.

Actor	Character	Role Significance	Notable Trait/Ability
Alice Englert	Lena Duchannes	Protagonist, Caster facing Claiming	Telekinetic powers tied to emotions
Alden Ehrenreich	Ethan Wate	Mortal protagonist, Lena's love interest	Researcher, connects Lena to Gatlin's history
Jeremy Irons	Macon Ravenwood	Lena's uncle and protector, powerful Caster	Incubus (Dark Caster who feeds on dreams), Illusionist
Emma Thompson	Sarafine Duchannes / Mrs. Lincoln	Lena's Dark Caster mother (possessing Mrs. Lincoln)	Exceptionally powerful Dark Caster, Pyrokinesis
Emmy Rossum	Ridley Duchannes	Lena's cousin, Dark Caster Siren	Compulsion through touch/voice (Siren powers)

The Mortals of Gatlin: Friends, Foes, and Family

Gatlin isn't just Casters. The mortal characters ground the story and provide the social pressure cooker Lena walks into. * **Amma (Viola Davis):** Ethan’s housekeeper and surrogate mother figure. Viola Davis is *everything*. Amma is wise, fiercely protective, and holds secrets of her own – she’s a Seer (a mortal with visions). Davis brought such warmth and underlying strength to Amma. Her scenes with Ethan felt genuinely loving, and her confrontations with the Duchannes clan crackled with tension. She was the rock of the mortal side of the **Beautiful Creatures cast**. Honestly, she deserved even more screen time. * **Link (Thomas Mann):** Ethan’s best friend. Thomas Mann nailed the lovable, slightly goofy, loyal best friend role. Link provided comic relief without being just a joke. His obliviousness to the supernatural chaos happening around him (until later...) was endearing. His subplot with Ridley was both funny and kind of tragic. * **Marian (Margo Martindale):** The town librarian and Amma's friend. Another secret keeper! Margo Martindale is always a delight. She brought Marian's intelligence, subtle power as a Caster historian (a Keeper), and dry wit perfectly. Her quiet strength was a great counterpoint. * **The Savannahs (Zoey Deutch & Rachel Brosnahan):** Ah, the mean girls of Gatlin High. Zoey Deutch (Emily) and Rachel Brosnahan (Savannah, yes, the character is named Savannah!) were perfectly snooty and judgmental. Brosnahan, years before "Mrs. Maisel," was already showing her comedic chops here. They embodied the small-town prejudice Lena faces. Deutch, especially, played that vapid cruelty just right.

The Powerful Supporting Players

Beyond the main families, a few other key figures shape the story: * **Larkin (Kyle Gallner):** Macon's enigmatic younger brother. Gallner brought this unsettling, slightly slimy energy to the role, hinting at hidden loyalties. He wasn't in it loads, but made an impression. * **Abraham Ravenwood (Margo Martindale via effects):** Okay, technically Martindale again, but playing Macon and Larkin's ancient, powerful father trapped in an animal form (a large black dog named Boo Radley). Mostly a vocal and visual effect role, but pivotal to the Ravenwood backstory. Seeing Margo Martindale's face briefly emerge from the dog remains... unsettling.

Actor	Character	Role Type	Key Relationship	Secret? (Spoiler Light!)
Viola Davis	Amma Treadeau	Mortal (Surrogate Mother)	Ethan's guardian, Link's mom	Seer (Has visions)
Thomas Mann	Wesley "Link" Lincoln	Mortal (Best Friend)	Ethan's best friend, Savannah's brother	Initially oblivious
Margo Martindale	Marian "The Librarian" Ashcroft	Mortal (Historian)	Amma's friend, Ethan's mentor	Keeper (Preserves Caster history)
Zoey Deutch	Emily Asher	Mortal (Mean Girl)	Savannah's friend, Ethan's ex	Queen Bee antagonist
Rachel Brosnahan	Savannah Snow	Mortal (Mean Girl)	Emily's friend, Link's sister	Judgmental popular girl
Kyle Gallner	Larkin Ravenwood	Caster (Family)	Macon's brother, Lena's uncle	Ambiguous loyalties

Behind the Scenes: Casting Choices and Challenges

Putting together a **Beautiful Creatures cast** like this is no small feat. Director Richard LaGravenese (known for character-driven dramas like *The Fisher King* and *P.S. I Love You*) apparently focused heavily on finding actors who could embody the emotional truth of the characters, not just the fantasy elements. Landing heavyweights like Jeremy Irons and Emma Thompson was a coup. They brought instant credibility and acting pedigree. Irons reportedly loved the Southern Gothic aspect of Macon. Thompson? She clearly relished the chance to play such a deliciously evil dual role. Alice Englert was a relative newcomer, a risk, but her raw talent and chemistry with Ehrenreich won out. One interesting bit – Alden Ehrenreich had actually been acting for years, even in big films like *Tetro* directed by Coppola, but he wasn't a household name yet. This was arguably his breakout leading man role before *Solo*. Emmy Rossum was already known from *Phantom of the Opera* and *Shameless*, but Ridley felt like a fresh, bold direction for her.

Where Are They Now? The Beautiful Creatures Cast Then and Now

It's been over a decade (film released Feb 2013). What happened to this talented group after Gatlin? * **Alice Englert:** Continued acting in indie films and TV (*Top of the Lake*, *The Serpent*). Also ventured into directing and writing. Not super mainstream, but consistently interesting work. * **Alden Ehrenreich:** Rocketed to fame as young Han Solo in *Solo: A Star Wars Story*. Starred in Coen Brothers' *Hail, Caesar!* and more recently, Christopher Nolan's *Oppenheimer*. Big career trajectory. * **Jeremy Irons:** Kept being Jeremy Irons – iconic roles in TV (*Watchmen*, *The Borgias*) and film (*Batman v Superman*, *House of Gucci*). Always compelling. * **Emma Thompson:** Remained a powerhouse – Oscar-nominated for *Saving Mr. Banks*, starred in major franchises (*Men in Black 3*, *Cruella*), and countless acclaimed roles. A true legend. * **Emmy Rossum:** Continued starring in *Shameless* for many seasons. Lead role in *Angelyne*. Directed episodes of *Shameless* and *The Comedians*. Recently in *The Crowded Room*. * **Viola Davis:** Became *VIOLA DAVIS*. EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). Iconic roles in *How to Get Away with Murder*, *Fences*, *The Woman King*, *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom*. Absolute dominance. * **Thomas Mann:** Steady work in film (*Me and Earl and the Dying Girl*, *Kong: Skull Island*) and TV (*The Binge*, *Our Flag Means Death*). * **Zoey Deutch:** Became a rom-com queen (*Set It Up*, *The Politician*, *Not Okay*, *Something from Tiffany's*) and consistently busy. * **Rachel Brosnahan:** Achieved global fame and multiple awards as the lead in *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*. Also starred in *House of Cards* earlier. * **Kyle Gallner:** Busy character actor in horror (*Smile*, *Scream VI*, *The Clearing*) and drama (*Dinner in America*, *Gaslit*).

Why Does This Cast Still Resonate?

Looking back, the strength of the **Beautiful Creatures cast** really carries the film. The story itself might have familiar YA fantasy beats, but the actors infused their characters with depth, humor, and genuine emotion. Jeremy Irons and Viola Davis brought gravitas that grounded the supernatural elements. Emma Thompson went full villain and made it captivating. Alice Englert and Alden Ehrenreich made the central romance believable. Emmy Rossum provided pure, chaotic energy. It’s a bit of a shame the film didn't spawn sequels like the books did (there are four novels total). Seeing where this cast could have taken these characters over multiple movies would have been fascinating. The chemistry was absolutely there. While the movie has its fans and critics, the performances are consistently praised. It’s definitely a case where the ensemble elevates the material.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Beautiful Creatures Cast

Who played Lena in Beautiful Creatures?

Lena Duchannes was played by **Alice Englert**. She brought a mix of vulnerability, power, and teenage angst to the role.

Did Jeremy Irons really play Macon Ravenwood?

Absolutely! **Jeremy Irons** played Lena's powerful uncle, Macon Ravenwood. He brought his signature gravitas and dry wit to the character.

Why did Emma Thompson play two characters?

**Emma Thompson** played Sarafine Duchannes, Lena's Dark Caster mother. Sarafine possessed the body of Mrs. Lincoln, the town's judgmental busybody. This allowed Thompson to showcase incredible range, switching between the sweet, pious Mrs. Lincoln and the terrifyingly evil Sarafine. It was a brilliant casting choice to highlight the duality within the town itself.

Who was Emmy Rossum's character?

**Emmy Rossum** played Ridley Duchannes, Lena's cousin. Ridley was claimed by the Dark and became a Siren, using her powers of compulsion to manipulate others. Rossum played her with wicked charm and chaotic energy, often stealing scenes.

Where was Viola Davis?

**Viola Davis** played Amma Treadeau, Ethan's housekeeper and surrogate mother figure. Despite being mortal, Amma was a Seer with visions and deep knowledge of the Caster world. Davis brought immense warmth, strength, and wisdom to the role.

Who played Ethan's best friend Link?

Link Lincoln, Ethan's loyal and slightly goofy best friend, was played by **Thomas Mann**. He provided much of the film's comic relief.

Was Rachel Brosnahan in Beautiful Creatures?

Yes! A young **Rachel Brosnahan**, years before her fame as "Mrs. Maisel," played Savannah Snow, one of the mean girls at Gatlin High alongside Zoey Deutch's Emily Asher.

Why wasn't there a Beautiful Creatures sequel?

The movie, released in February 2013, performed below studio expectations at the box office. While it developed a fanbase later (especially once the cast became more famous), the initial financial return wasn't strong enough to justify the planned sequels adapting the rest of the book series. It's a real bummer for fans of the books and this specific **Beautiful Creatures cast**.

Is the Beautiful Creatures movie different from the book?

Like most adaptations, the movie streamlined the plot and combined or altered some characters and events from the first novel ("Beautiful Creatures") by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Fans of the books often note differences, particularly in pacing and the depth of certain character backstories (like Amma's role as a Seer/Keeper hybrid). The core story and characters, however, remain recognizable.

Is Beautiful Creatures worth watching for the cast?

Honestly? Yes, especially now. If you enjoy Southern Gothic atmosphere, YA fantasy romance, or just want to see a genuinely talented ensemble cast (including heavyweights like Irons, Thompson, and Davis alongside rising stars) sink their teeth into some supernatural drama, it's definitely worth a watch. The performances are the main attraction. Don't expect groundbreaking cinema, but do expect some seriously committed acting from the **Beautiful Creatures cast**. It’s a fascinating snapshot of talented actors at various points in their careers. You watch Viola Davis command every scene she’s in, knowing she’d become an EGOT winner. You see Alden Ehrenreich honing his leading man chops before Solo. You witness Emma Thompson clearly having a blast being evil. That retrospective view adds a whole new layer to it.